CM Chandrababu seeks NITI Aayog assistance for economic progress, skill development in AP

Amaravati: Informing the NITI Aayog vice-chairman, Suman Bery, that the Swarnandhra-2047 vision document has been formulated with the sole aim of transforming Andhra Pradesh into the ‘One Family-One AI Professsional-One Entrepreneur’ vision, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, on Friday sought Central assistance to achieve the goal.

The chief minister gave a grand welcome to Suman Bery at the State Secretariat on Friday, and at a meeting held later, CM Naidu explained in detail to the NITI Aayog vice-chairman the umpteen opportunities available in the State and the developmental activities proposed.

He also sought the active cooperation of NITI Aayog in extending the technological assistance and in implementing fresh policies.

$2.4 trillion economic system

Informing Suman Bery about the target set to reach by 2047, the chief minister said that the $2.4 trillion economic system will have to be established by 2047 by achieving 15 per cent growth rate every year with an average $42,000 per capita income for everyone.

CM Chandrababu expressed confidence that the State will move much ahead if NITI Aayog extends its support and Andhra Pradesh will stand as a model State in Vikasitha Bharat-2047.

Responding to this, Suman Bery said it is the most favourable time for both the Centre and the State. He felt that there was a great opportunity for development and promised the NITI Aayog share in this.

Economic progress

The chief minister said the focus is now on Swarnandhra-2047 with economic progress, skill development, setting up of industries and stability and stated that he wants to develop the State as a global leader in human resource development and good governance.

CM Chandrababu, however, said that the State is now facing certain challenges, particularly as the financial issues have not been settled yet post-bifurcation of the State and also Andhra Pradesh losing Hyderabad which is a growth engine for generating revenue to the State.

Apart from these issues, the previous government has totally neglected the capital expenditure for five years and did not provide any basic amenities, CM Chandrababu said, and stated that the State is totally agriculture-based. He, however, said that every effort is being made to strengthen the State by utilising the available advantages and by overcoming the challenges.

Industrial corridors

The major advantage is that the State has the third largest sea coast with huge connectivity by road, ports and railways, the chief minister said and also mentioned the existing three industrial corridors. Also, the State is a gateway for East-South and East Asia besides attracting investments in renewable energy and data technology, the chief minister told Suman Bery.

Chandrababu also sought the NITI Aayog assistance to transform Visakhapatnam as an economic region which is one of the four growth hubs in the country along with taking Amravati-Tirupati as regional growth hubs. He also wanted both the State Government and NITI Ayog to work together in strengthening the industrial corridors, skilling hubs, smart cities and basic facilities.

Tirupati-Chennai-Nellore as Tri cities

The chief minister also felt that if Tirupati-Chennai-Nellore which has three sea-ports and three airports are transformed into tri-cities the area will move at a fast pace in development.

Pointing out that 700 companies are now in operation at the Genome Valley which he, as the chief minister of the combined State, has developed, Chandrababu said that he is now aiming at implementing such best policies in the State.

Stating that plans are afoot to install solar roof-tops on all bus stations in the State, the chief minister said that efforts are also on to introduce over 11,000 EV buses in the State.